Martina Navratilova

Stripped of her Czechoslovakian citizenship at 18 when she asked the United States for political asylum. Became a U.S. citizen in 1981, but had her Czech Republic citizenship restored in 2008. Her first tennis coach was her stepfather. Won 18 Grand Slam singles titles and 31 doubles titles. Reached nine consecutive Wimbledon finals from 1982 through 1990 and won Wimbledon a total of nine times in her career. Recorded the longest winning streak in the open era, 74 consecutive matches. Reached 11 straight Grand Slam singles finals. Along with doubles partner Pam Shriver, won 109 consecutive doubles matches and all four Grand Slam events in 1984. Announced in 2010 that she was being treated for breast cancer. Had to quit her climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in December 2010 after suffering a pulmonary edema at nearly 14,800 feet. Has appeared in ads for PETA.